This page focuses on traditional knowledge within food production. Traditional knowledge is often a praised for providing a detailed knowledge of local nature and ecosystems [1] . The use of traditional knowledge has become increasingly common in development practices and the term is widely used in an agricultural context. A dominating definition is to distinguish between western science and traditional knowledge as per the following definitions.[2] Traditional or indigenous knowledge is place-bound, often passed down from generation to generation through mouth and relates to everyday matters such as farming. On the other hand, western knowledge is universal and can be applied to any place, centralised and has a standard system. There is also a notion that western science would be more changing than indigenous knowledge but in the end the two knowledge systems can be quite similar. If attempting to collect, centralise and apply indigenous knowledge outside its local context, it resembles western science very much.[3] . Traditional knowledge is often used when current western science lacks systems to understand a process, such as for example the way a local ecosystem works with very complex species interaction[4] . Traditional knowledge is by many seen as the key to preserving biodiversity in areas of food production [5] . The livelihoods of indigenous people all over the world are often very much dependent on their traditional knowledge [6] .
Traditional knowledge and food
Traditional ways of cultivating food is often non-technical and relies more on muscle power of humans and animals, compared to fossil fuel intensive modern agriculture. It also typically relies on mixed crop methods rather than monocultures. Methods are often highly adapted to local conditions, such as irregular rainfall. Traditional methods of pest management are for example intercropping or choosing the right crop for the right plot of land or even using smoke.[7] . Traditional knowledge has an important role for indigenous communities in improving long term food security and prevent destruction of the environment[8] . Organic farming and traditional methods of agriculture have some things in common, since neither uses modern pesticides for example.
Ph.D. student in Agroecology, Sophia Albov talks about traditional agriculture in the video below.
Traditional knowledge and SDG 2
Traditional knowledge and genetic diversity of seeds are often connected[9] . Traditional growing methods has the ability to grow different kinds of seeds. Seeds that for example can withstand local weather conditions. When a top-down approach of development with imposed western technologies has not worked in solving problems of food shortage, indigenous knowledge has been praised as the better alternative. A mix of western and traditional knowledge is hoped to help achieve Sustainable Development Goal two: Zero hunger[10] . Traditional knowledge also has an important role in preserving biodiversity and genetic diversity in crops, whereas western agriculture has been criticised for undermining this diversity by promoting large mono cultures. Conservation agriculture is one suggested way of combing two traditional knowledge models. Traditional agriculture has often been promoted as being more environmentally friendly and in line with nature.
Development practisers have during the past 30 years included local communities to an increasing amount in the development work. For a development project to be successful, it must be fully integrated and understood by the local community[11] . Despite the involving of local communities, the goal might still be to imitate western immanent development. Another approach is mutual learning, where the outcome is a mix of western ideas of modernisation and local traditions.[12]
Joint Forest Management projects are an established way of using traditional knowledge. The aim is to household with the forest resources in a sustainable way, preserving biodiversity and ensuring long-term sustainable use of the forest resources, such as firewood, for the local community[13] . Major organisations such as Unesco[14] and the Word Bank[15] today promote use of traditional knowledge.
Traditional knowledge and corporate praxis
In developing countries, corporations can be seen as a threat toward traditional knowledge. Whereas traditional farming is usually done on a family basis, corporations are more known for using modern, technical knowledge and methods in agriculture. An attempt of counteracting this view is by community driven development where development, such as a corporation providing employment in a region, should not come at the expense of the rural community's own wishes[16] . Although community driven development is often used by policy makers only, corporations can also engage in this way. Although large corporations typically do not use much traditional knowledge, there are several networks consisting of many smaller actors who use and promote traditional knowledge in agriculture. One example is Navdanya from India, which is a network of organic farmers in India. One of Navdanyas goals is to promote seed banks, which builds up an access to genetic diversity in crops in local communities. It also promotes and teaches traditional Indian agricultural methods.[17]
Another field where traditional knowledge has been used is in science relating to climate change and climate change adaption.
The Aboriginal carbon fund in Australia is a not for profit company that uses the traditional knowledge of indigenous Australians to combat climate change. One of their methologies includes "blue carbon" which means helping underwater plants to grow, in order to store more carbon.[18]
Critique
Despite traditional agriculture being applauded for increasing biodiversity and sustainability, traditional methods in Sub-Saharan Africa has failed to produce enough food to feed a growing population [19] . This shows that traditional knowledge on it's own, is failing to help us reach SDG2 Zero hunger. The use of indigenous knowledge has not always been as successful as hoped[20] . “If indigenous knowledge is so good, why is my farm so poor?” is a quote by a Tanzanian farmer that well summarises the critique on relying too heavily on indigenous knowledge.[21] The use of traditional knowledge is also associated with food poverty.
Examples from Finland
In Finland the traditional "slash and burn" method of agriculture was used up until the late 1870-century. Finland had it's last great famine in the late 19th century [22] . Finland was largely a poor country and agriculture had poor productivity, until modern agricultural knowledge started to be used.[23] Finland was not able to eradicate hunger by using only traditional knowledge.
^Wright, Hugh L.; Lake, Iain R., Dolman, Paul M. Agriculture—a key element for conservation in the developing world. 2011 :onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1755-263X.2011.00208.x/abstract
^ T. Abate A. van Huis and J. K. O. Ampofo, 2000.
Pest Management Strategies in Traditional Agriculture: An African Perspective
Availible: :annualreviews.org/doi/abs/10.1146/annurev.ento.45.1.631
^ Why Can't We Transform Traditional Agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa?
Keijiro Otsuka
Review of Agricultural Economics
Vol. 28, No. 3 (Autumn, 2006), pp. 332-337
://www.jstor.org/stable/3877176?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents
^ Briggs, J. (2005) ‘The use of indigenous knowledge in development: problems and challenges’ Progress in Development Studies, 5 (2): 99-114
^ Briggs, J. (2005) ‘The use of indigenous knowledge in development: problems and challenges’ Progress in Development Studies, 5 (2): 99-114. p.99
^ Long-Term Effects of Famine on Life Expectancy: A Re-Analysis of the Great Finnish Famine of 1866-1868
Mar 2011. Gabriele Doblhammer-Reiter University of Rostock
Gerard J. van den Berg VU University Amsterdam - Department of Economics; Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR); IZA Institute of Labor Economics; Tinbergen Institute, Lambert Lumey Columbia University
Definition
This page focuses on traditional knowledge within food production. Traditional knowledge is often a praised for providing a detailed knowledge of local nature and ecosystems [1] . The use of traditional knowledge has become increasingly common in development practices and the term is widely used in an agricultural context. A dominating definition is to distinguish between western science and traditional knowledge as per the following definitions.[2] Traditional or indigenous knowledge is place-bound, often passed down from generation to generation through mouth and relates to everyday matters such as farming. On the other hand, western knowledge is universal and can be applied to any place, centralised and has a standard system. There is also a notion that western science would be more changing than indigenous knowledge but in the end the two knowledge systems can be quite similar. If attempting to collect, centralise and apply indigenous knowledge outside its local context, it resembles western science very much.[3] . Traditional knowledge is often used when current western science lacks systems to understand a process, such as for example the way a local ecosystem works with very complex species interaction[4] . Traditional knowledge is by many seen as the key to preserving biodiversity in areas of food production [5] . The livelihoods of indigenous people all over the world are often very much dependent on their traditional knowledge [6] .
Traditional knowledge and food
Traditional ways of cultivating food is often non-technical and relies more on muscle power of humans and animals, compared to fossil fuel intensive modern agriculture. It also typically relies on mixed crop methods rather than monocultures. Methods are often highly adapted to local conditions, such as irregular rainfall. Traditional methods of pest management are for example intercropping or choosing the right crop for the right plot of land or even using smoke.[7] . Traditional knowledge has an important role for indigenous communities in improving long term food security and prevent destruction of the environment[8] . Organic farming and traditional methods of agriculture have some things in common, since neither uses modern pesticides for example.
Ph.D. student in Agroecology, Sophia Albov talks about traditional agriculture in the video below.
Traditional knowledge and SDG 2
Traditional knowledge and genetic diversity of seeds are often connected[9] . Traditional growing methods has the ability to grow different kinds of seeds. Seeds that for example can withstand local weather conditions. When a top-down approach of development with imposed western technologies has not worked in solving problems of food shortage, indigenous knowledge has been praised as the better alternative. A mix of western and traditional knowledge is hoped to help achieve Sustainable Development Goal two: Zero hunger[10] . Traditional knowledge also has an important role in preserving biodiversity and genetic diversity in crops, whereas western agriculture has been criticised for undermining this diversity by promoting large mono cultures. Conservation agriculture is one suggested way of combing two traditional knowledge models. Traditional agriculture has often been promoted as being more environmentally friendly and in line with nature.
Development practisers have during the past 30 years included local communities to an increasing amount in the development work. For a development project to be successful, it must be fully integrated and understood by the local community[11] . Despite the involving of local communities, the goal might still be to imitate western immanent development. Another approach is mutual learning, where the outcome is a mix of western ideas of modernisation and local traditions.[12]
Joint Forest Management projects are an established way of using traditional knowledge. The aim is to household with the forest resources in a sustainable way, preserving biodiversity and ensuring long-term sustainable use of the forest resources, such as firewood, for the local community[13] . Major organisations such as Unesco[14] and the Word Bank[15] today promote use of traditional knowledge.
Traditional knowledge and corporate praxis
In developing countries, corporations can be seen as a threat toward traditional knowledge. Whereas traditional farming is usually done on a family basis, corporations are more known for using modern, technical knowledge and methods in agriculture. An attempt of counteracting this view is by community driven development where development, such as a corporation providing employment in a region, should not come at the expense of the rural community's own wishes[16] . Although community driven development is often used by policy makers only, corporations can also engage in this way. Although large corporations typically do not use much traditional knowledge, there are several networks consisting of many smaller actors who use and promote traditional knowledge in agriculture. One example is Navdanya from India, which is a network of organic farmers in India. One of Navdanyas goals is to promote seed banks, which builds up an access to genetic diversity in crops in local communities. It also promotes and teaches traditional Indian agricultural methods.[17]
Another field where traditional knowledge has been used is in science relating to climate change and climate change adaption.
The Aboriginal carbon fund in Australia is a not for profit company that uses the traditional knowledge of indigenous Australians to combat climate change. One of their methologies includes "blue carbon" which means helping underwater plants to grow, in order to store more carbon.[18]
Critique
Despite traditional agriculture being applauded for increasing biodiversity and sustainability, traditional methods in Sub-Saharan Africa has failed to produce enough food to feed a growing population [19] . This shows that traditional knowledge on it's own, is failing to help us reach SDG2 Zero hunger. The use of indigenous knowledge has not always been as successful as hoped[20] . “If indigenous knowledge is so good, why is my farm so poor?” is a quote by a Tanzanian farmer that well summarises the critique on relying too heavily on indigenous knowledge.[21] The use of traditional knowledge is also associated with food poverty.
Examples from Finland
In Finland the traditional "slash and burn" method of agriculture was used up until the late 1870-century. Finland had it's last great famine in the late 19th century [22] . Finland was largely a poor country and agriculture had poor productivity, until modern agricultural knowledge started to be used.[23] Finland was not able to eradicate hunger by using only traditional knowledge.
Quiz
Quiz created by Felicia Aminoff with GoConqrOpen source
IFAD 2009
https://www.ifad.org/documents/10180/311a528e-3561-461f-8fb9-987e02c4f0fc
Freeman, 1992. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Milton_Freeman/publication/269576083_The_nature_and_utility_of_traditional_ecological_knowledge/links/552d546d0cf21acb092172a2.pdf
UN, 2014.
http://www.un.org/en/ga/president/68/pdf/wcip/IASG%20Thematic%20Paper_%20Traditional%20Knowledge%20-%20rev1.pdf
External links
Aboriginal Carbon Fund, 2016
http://aboriginalcarbonfund.com.au
Navidanya
http://www.navdanya.org/
Agriculture—a key element for conservation in the developing world. 2011
:onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1755-263X.2011.00208.x/abstract
http://www.un.org/en/ga/president/68/pdf/wcip/IASG%20Thematic%20Paper_%20Traditional%20Knowledge%20-%20rev1.pdf
Pest Management Strategies in Traditional Agriculture: An African Perspective
Availible: :annualreviews.org/doi/abs/10.1146/annurev.ento.45.1.631
http://www.fao.org/docrep/011/i0841e/i0841e00.htm
SDG 2: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture - See more at: https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/?page=view&nr=164&type=230&menu=2059#sthash.roJJpYBw.dpuf
Availible:
https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/?page=view&nr=164&type=230&menu=2059
INTER-AGENCY SUPPORT GROUP ON INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ ISSUES
http://www.un.org/en/ga/president/68/pdf/wcip/IASG%20Thematic%20Paper_%20Traditional%20Knowledge%20-%20rev1.pdf
https://www.ifad.org/documents/10180/311a528e-3561-461f-8fb9-987e02c4f0fc
http://www.navdanya.org/
http://aboriginalcarbonfund.com.au
Keijiro Otsuka
Review of Agricultural Economics
Vol. 28, No. 3 (Autumn, 2006), pp. 332-337
://www.jstor.org/stable/3877176?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents
Mar 2011. Gabriele Doblhammer-Reiter University of Rostock
Gerard J. van den Berg VU University Amsterdam - Department of Economics; Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR); IZA Institute of Labor Economics; Tinbergen Institute, Lambert Lumey Columbia University
://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1771256